Evaluation of an Inactivation Procedure for Determining the Sorption of Organic Compounds to Activated Sludge

A batch method was developed and validated for determining the sorption coefficient (Kd) of biodegradable organic compounds to activated sludge solids using a nonspecific analytical technique, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. In this method, activated sludge solids were first inactivated by lyophilization and dry heat (103°C) and then washed to remove any dissolved organic carbon released during the inactivation procedure. The inactivated sludge solids were exposed to a range of concentrations of different test compounds in synthetic wastewater until equilibrium was achieved (<2 h). The amount of test compound sorbed to the solids was then determined by measuring TOC levels in centrifuged supernatants. Results revealed that the sorption coefficients (Kd values) for four detergent chemicals in inactivated sludge solids using TOC analysis were in good agreement with values determined in fresh activated sludge using radiolabeled materials. These Kd values are suitable for use in estimating environmental exposure concentrations and for developing screening-level models to assess the removal of organic compounds by sorption and settling during activated sludge wastewater treatment.